New Results Obtained on Electronic Excited States of the H2 Molecule by Methods Involving Coherence or Doppler-Free Effects

Abstract

A few years ago the knowledge of excited levels of simple molecules resulted only from studies of optical spectra, the ultimate resolution obtained being the one which could be provided by the best interferential systems, this being situated at about 1000 MHz. One should note here that the identification of levels, through the intermediary of optical spectra can be extremely complex and tedious; and that there are still even in the simplest molecules excited states which have not yet been completely identified. The interest of high resolution experiments is considerable: Parameters which are not accessible by methods of optical spectroscopy may thus be determined and will thereby provide theoreticians with fundamental information.